THOUGHT FOR TODAY BY
ST. ANTHONY ZACCARIA

If through perfect humility you will be able to know objec tively yourself, only then will you be.

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4301 Hecktown Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18020

Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul (ASP)

Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul

The Angelic Sisters were founded in the sixteenth century (1535) in Milan (Italy), by St. Anthony Maria Zaccaria. Their purpose was to be co-workers with the Barnabite Fathers (founded by the same founder) in bringing about a renewal of faith in a society that had become very worldly.

In 1552, by a Papal decree, the Angelic Sisters were asked to become of cloistered life, thus discontinuing their active apostolate.

It was not until 1926 that another Papal decree, dated July 5 (feast of Saint Anthony Maria Zaccaria) authorized the Congregation of the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul to restore its original purpose of active life.

The Angelic Sisters are serving the Church in Italy, Brazil, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Spain, Portugal, Kosovo, United States, Albania, Philippines, Chile and recently in Poland, Indonesia, and Rwanda.

The Angelic Sisters of St. Paul serve God's people in the following ministries:

• Teaching in nursery, elementary, high schools, and colleges

• Working in Mission Countries

• Pastoral ministry to the sick and elderly

• Hospices for the elderly• Pastoral counselling of men and women in prison• Religious education• Eucharistic ministry to shut-ins• Youth ministry

• Vocational Apostolate• Ministry in Spiritual Centers• Open to other needs of the local Churches

The spirituality of the Angelic Sisters is modeled after St. Paul: living and announcing the mystery of Christ Crucified and living in the Eucharist; testifying humbly and fervently the faith in Him and the love for the neighbors through various apostolic activities.

In the Philippines, the Angelic Sisters own and run the Mother of Divine Providence School (MDPS), Marikina. MDPS is a Catholic Pre-School, Grade School and High School for boys and girls duly-recognized by the Department of Education. MDPS is a member of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.

Interview with Mother Elaine
Alnaissi ASP,

Superior General of the Angeliche di San Paolo*

“Our
Congregation, founded in 1535 in Milan, represented something quite new at the
time. the Angeliche were the first order of non enclosed nuns with an active
apostolate, and an essential ideal of education and reform. The first sisters
were often sent to revive convents in decline and to rekindle Christian fervour
which had been lost ”.

What were
the difficulties encountered by the new Institute?

“Our charisma
of education in the faith met with widespread ignorance. The Angeliche, worked
with the Barnabites, organising popular missions in parishes to remind the
people of the basic principles of the faith. In 1552 came the cloister, which
the Council of Trent ten years later was to make compulsory for all female
congregations. From then, until the Napoleonic suppression, in 1810, the
Angeliche were one the Church's many contemplative realities. In 1846 the last
Angelica died, then with the new foundation in 1879 thanks to Barnabite Fr Pio
Mauri there began a new season and growing commitment in social assistance”.

Returning
to the roots?

“In a sense
yes, seeing that Saint Antonio Maria Zaccaria wanted us also in active
apostolate. The opportunity came during the Great War in our convents at
Arienzo, in Campania, where the sisters, with the support of the local bishop
and the permission of the Holy See, took over the direction of homes for war
orphans and dedicated themselves to catechism. In 1926 a Papal Decree
re-established our original charisma, giving a new physiognomy to the Institute
ordering the fusion of formally autonomous convents and the birth of General
Chapter. Not long afterwards we began our missionary commitment, today still in
expansion”.

Missionaries
where and with what programme?

“In 1922 at
Arienzo the first aspirants arrived from Brazil - where the Barnabites had been
working for some years. Brazil today forms a Province: we have 10 houses and 43
women religious out of a total 65 of non Italians. Other countries followed
Brazil: Belgium (1935), Congo (1963), Spain and the United States of America
(1965), Kossovo (1976), Philippines (1986), Chile (1993), Poland (2005),
Indonesia (2006) and Rwanda, where we run an orphanage for 140 children. In our
missions we focus on Christian education and instruction, adapting our activity
to the local school system. Wherever we go we either build our own schools of
all grades (kindergarten to high school) or work in existing schools with a
good number of our sisters as well as helping with pastoral activities in
parishes. In Italy, we have 12 houses and a total 79 sisters involved in
education. The Istituto San Paolo in Rome has 600 pupils”.

What do you
expect from the Year of St Paul?

“In depth
study of the figure of St Paul and his Letters, will give new impulse to the
whole of our family – St Paul's priests, religious and lay people.